A record 258 new Covid-19 cases have been recorded in the past 24-hours, health authorities said. The previous highest number was 245 cases recorded on the 9th of January.

There were also 182 recoveries and 2 new deaths. Health authorities advised that during the last 24 hours an 83-year old woman and a 76-year old man passed away at Mater Dei Hospital, both while being positive with Covid-19.

Superintendent of Public Health Prof Charmaine Gauci, in her weekly update, said that there is a spike of 153 active cases from the total in Gozo, considerably more than last week, when it was 99. 6 of these patients are recovering in the Gozo General Hospital, with 1 in ITU. There were 7 patients in GGH last week.

She advised that there are currently 61 patients in Malta and Gozo who are infected with the UK variant, saying that it is having an impact on the situation with the virus, and it is “crucial to continue monitoring the situation.” There is still only 1 active case of the South African Variant.

There are 130 patients recovering in hospitals in Malta and Gozo, down from 149 last week.

Prof Gauci said said that the average age over the last week was 38.9. The seven-day moving average of cases per day was now 203, up from 153 last week, this is very high she said, and appealed once again for everyone to adhere to the mitigation measures.

There are now 2,582 active cases in Malta and Gozo. The number of swabs taken over this period was 3,640 – rapid tests are now being included in the daily total.

73,644 vaccine doses had been administered till yesterday – Thursday. Health authorities said that of these 23,395 were second doses.

The total number of cases are now up to 21,982. There have been 19,087 recoveries and 313 deaths,

691,614 swab tests have been taken since the start of the pandemic in Malta.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has advised that it will be reporting figures on a weekly basis – every Thursday. As of week 7, updated on 25th February, it shows that the number of cases recorded for Malta is at 20,892 and the number of deaths showing is 304. The 14-day cumulative number of Covid-19 cases per 100,000 is now 404.03. Malta is currently in 7th position in the EU/EEA. Czechia is at the top with 1120.03.

The ECDC said that the above data are collected between Monday and Wednesday for the proceeding week.

Public Health Authorities said that anyone who needs to take a test should call 111 to set an appointment, even if they do not have any symptoms. It is to be noted that due to the large volume of calls, it can take some time to get through.

All swabbing centres are open every day, including the one in Gozo, however appointments must be made on the above number.

The Ministry of Health, while offering its condolences to the relatives of the deceased, called on the public to continue to follow the preventive measures so that we can protect the most vulnerable in our society – This includes wearing of masks, social distancing and hand hygiene.

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